Before You Arrive
Congratulations, and welcome to UOP International!
Soon you’ll be on the exciting University of the Pacific campus in Stockton, California. Before you arrive, complete the steps below to avoid common issues or delays for international students.
If you have any questions, contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
Contact Your Advisor
We have a team of dedicated personal advisors whose job it is to make sure all your questions are answered and to ensure you have a smooth transition to the university.
Before you start on any of the steps below, contact your local personal advisor. Simply select your region of the world below, and send your advisor an email, Skype, WhatsApp, or WeChat message. We look forward to meeting you very soon!
Africa
China
Latin
America
Middle East/North Africa
North
America
North Asia
Russia/Central Asia/Eastern Europe
South
Asia
Southeast
Asia
UK and Western Europe
What to Do Before You Arrive at
University of the Pacific
After you receive the electronic copy of your I-20, complete the following steps before booking your visa appointment:
- Schedule a free visa information and preparation session with your personal Enrollment Advisor.
- Check that the details on your I-20 are correct (including your date of birth) and make sure your name is the same as it appears on your passport.
- Prepare the documents you will need to take to the embassy when attending your visa interview.
Immigration Documents:
- Passport
- Visa
- I-20
- Letter of Acceptance
- SEVIS I-901 Fee Receipt
- Customers Letter and G-28 Document included in your acceptance packet
Original Documents:
- Academic transcripts, sealed in an envelope and certified
- Academic certificates
- English proficiency test scores
- Bank Statement
After you complete the above steps, you should apply for your visa as soon as possible. It requires an interview with the U.S. Embassy and can sometimes take several weeks to schedule.
- Complete your Visa Application.
- Pay your I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Visit usembassy.gov to learn more about scheduling your visa appointment, what to expect when you arrive and the documentation you need to take with you.
- Notify your enrollment advisor of the date and embassy location of your visa appointment.
- Watch these videos to help you apply for your visa and prepare for your interview:
Other links that international students find useful:
When purchasing your ticket to your new city, plan to arrive on or before your scheduled move-in day.
We are so excited for you to join us on campus! To ensure a smooth transition to your new home, plan to arrive on or before your official move-in day. The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is highly recommended as our primary airport and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is our secondary airport as a back-up if necessary.
For the Stockton campuses:
The Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is highly recommended as our primary airport for your arrival. The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can used as a back-up if necessary.
For the San Francisco campus:
The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is highly recommended as our primary airport for your arrival.
Once you book your flights, you must fill out the student arrival form. If your family is joining you, you must also complete the family arrival form.
Move-In Dates
For all undergraduate and graduate program move-in dates, please visit the Important Dates page.
We are looking forward to meeting you in person!
To help avoid delays with enrollment, make your tuition and fees payment in full two weeks before you arrive.
When you begin, have your acceptance letter in front of you, as you will need to refer to the information in the letter.
Choose between two ways to submit payment for tuition and fees:
Flywire by Peer Transfer: Please visit UOP’s Flywire portal to complete the transfer process. Please note that you can NOT use a U.S. credit card or U.S. bank account.
Set Up Your Pacific Email and Log into InsidePacific
The second page of your final offer letter includes step-by-step instructions on how to set up your Pacific email and log into our learning management system.
Please contact us at studentservices@uopinternational.org if you did not receive this information.
You will need to complete the following forms before your arrival
*Please read the documents very carefully, complete all forms and email them to studentservices@uopinternational.org before your arrival.
All students are required to submit an ID photo one month before your start date.
Photo requirement:
- Color headshot
- Looking directly at the face
- No portion of the head cut off
- No hats or head coverings
- Submit photo as a JPG
- In focus
Submit your photo by sending it to: studentservices@uopinternational.org.
Please include the following in your email:
- Full name
- University of the Pacific ID
- Program of study
- Whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student
- Photo
Complete Your Pre-arrival Testing
iTEP English Placement Test
(Undergraduate and Graduate Students)
You will need to complete the iTEP Academic English placement test online with UOP International before you arrive.
As part of your pre-arrival checklist, you will take the iTEP online at a time scheduled with UOP International. It is required that all students complete this test, regardless of when their last English test was completed.
The results of this test help us confirm you have been placed in the appropriate program of study.
Step 1: Please read the information below carefully.
About the iTEP Academic test:
- The iTEP Academic test will be taken online at a time scheduled in advance with UOP International. The test is proctored live by UOP International.
- The test takes about 90 minutes. It begins with a short tech check and introduction. Plan for approximately 2 hours.
- There are 5 parts: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Grammar.
- You cannot study for this test; it is meant to give us a picture of your academic English skills as they are right now.
- Get sleep and have some food before the test so that you can do your best.
- For more information, feel free to look at this site: https://www.itepexam.com/schedule-itep/prepare/
Test Requirements:
- You must be on computer/laptop with a web camera. The camera remains on during the entire test. Sorry, you cannot take the test on a tablet or phone.
- You must have an official photo ID (passport) with you.
- You must be able to take the test in quiet, private room with reliable internet access. We recommend you use a headset with microphone for best listening and speaking results.
- You cannot leave the test for any reason. No bathroom breaks allowed. Please plan ahead.
- You cannot use any outside resources during the test (no phone, no dictionary/translator tools, no internet research, etc.).
If you do not meet these requirements at your scheduled test time, you will not be able to complete the test.
Step 2: Click this link and select your iTEP test date.
Step 3: Arrive on time for your iTEP test date with your photo ID. Review test requirements above before test date.
ALEKS Math Placement
(Undergraduate Students Only)
All incoming undergraduate students are required to take the ALEKS math placement exam before orientation. The math placement test can be completed online at a time of your choice before orientation starts. You don’t need to schedule a time with UOP International.
Please read the steps below carefully to access and complete the required math placement exam before the start of orientation.
For detailed ALEKS math placement test instructions and frequently asked questions, please click HERE. or watch this video
Step 1: Get your PacificNetID and Default Password from page 2 of your Admissions Offer Letter.
Step 2: If you have not already changed your default password, go to locksmith.pacific.edu to create a new password. For step-by-step instructions on how to re-set your password, click HERE.
Step 3: Go to http://bit.ly/UOPIMathPlacementTest and login with your PacificNetID and new password. Begin the test.
Here is what to expect on arrival day!
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION
You must pass through Customs and Border Protection upon arrival in the United States. If you are held up at Customs and Border Protection for any reason upon your arrival, please be sure to give the officer your Customs Letter and G-28 Document that shows support available. If you are also able to call, please contact UOP International.
AIRPORT PICKUP
We will provide you with a free airport transfer from the Sacramento International Airport (Stockton campus students) or San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco campus students) to your residence. Your driver will be holding a sign that reads “UOP International.”
If you do not see your greeter within 15 minutes of reaching the Ground Transportation area of Arrivals, please follow these directions: Find the nearest public pay phone or use your cell phone and dial the UOP International Help Line.
Once an operator answers, please say “Hello, I’m a UOP International student and I can’t find my driver. My name is [say your full name slowly] from [home country name]. I am waiting in Terminal [letter or number] in the Ground Transportation area and wearing [color and description of clothes].” The friendly operator will help find your greeter/driver promptly.
WHERE TO GO
Once you arrive on campus, you will be escorted to your residence.
Reception details and the orientation schedule will be included in your welcome packet upon arrival.
Housing check-in will be in a pre-arrival email.
ARRIVING EARLY?
If you arrive before your move-in day, you will need to arrange accommodations at a local hotel. Consider staying at one of the following local hotels until the official move-in date. Please note that you will also need to arrange transportation from your hotel to your residence on move-in day.
Please report to the UOP International campus to check in on move-in day at the housing check-in address listed in your prearrival email.
Stockton Campus: Local Accommodations |
If friends or family travel with you to campus, we recommend the following area hotels:
|
Hotel
|
Contact Information
|
| Best Western Plus Heritage Inn | 111 East March Lane Stockton, CA 95207 (1.5 miles from campus) |
| Hilton Stockton | 2323 Grand Canal Blvd. Stockton, CA 95207 (2.3 miles from campus) |
| Courtyard by Marriott | 3252 West March Lane Stockton, CA 95219 (3.3 miles from campus) |
| Extended Stay by Marriott | 2844 West March Lane Stockton, CA 95219 (3.4 miles from campus) |
San Francisco Campus: Local Accommodations |
If friends or family travel with you to campus, we recommend the following area hotels:
|
Hotel
|
Contact Information
|
| The Pickwick Hotel San Francisco | 85 Fifth Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415.267.3940 (0.1 miles from campus) |
| Hotel Zetta San Francisco | 55 Fifth Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415.543.8555 (0.1 miles from campus) |
| 888 Howard St San Francisco, CA 94103 415.616.6500 (0.4 miles from campus) |
|
| 780 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103 415.896.1600 (0.9 miles from campus) |
Helpful Resources
Next Steps Brochure
Information on your I-20 paperwork and visa, what to pack and other tips for arrival on campus.
Immigration Guide
Learn more about the process for getting your F-1 visa and arriving in California.
Pre-Arrival Checklist
Complete all steps before you get to Pacific so you can help avoid delays or issues.
Orientation Schedule
Tour the campus, explore Stockton and find other orientation activities you might do with your fellow international students.
Academic Calendar
Want to plan your studying and traveling? Know important dates for classes, exams and holidays.